A/N: This is my first fanfic ever, well actually, I used to write some stories for my friends, but that doesn't matter. If it's not good, tell me in the reviews about what I should fix, so that's about it. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: If I owned Fairy Tail, Nalu would've happened already. So, yeah. I don't own Fairy Tail.
A Dragon's Heart
By JJay
Natsu laid peacefully on the far side of the pink comforter. Silently, he watched the sleeping blonde beauty beside him. Her gorgeous frame outlined against the bright moonlight that shone through the open window.
Her hair splayed out across the fresh white pillowcase, like branches that sprung out in a healthy tree. Natsu gently scooped up a lock and massaged the silky golden strands that slipped through his fingers.
Her fragrance overpowered his olfactory senses. It made him feel tingly and warm. Her scent was so sweet. So remarkable. So Lucy.
The thick waft of vanilla bean, and light cinnamon delighted him in such a way, he felt so comforted, so at home, and safe by her side.
Of course, he would never actually tell that to her directly.
In fact, she might never truly know how he felt. She would never know, the way he thought of her every day, as she bounded happily through the guild doors in the morning. Her beautiful blonde locks swaying with her every step.
She would never know the way he loved that distant, dreamy trance that crept onto her features when she was in deep thought.
She would never know how beautiful and magnificent she truly was, well, of course she knew that, everyone really knew that. He just wished that she wouldn't flaunt it the way she did.
Actually that was a lie.
He honestly loved it when she wore those kind of outfits. She looked so perfect in them. So perfect that he sometimes, unconsciously, stared at places beyond what he should even be thinking about.
He had always wanted to tell her, everything he had loved about her, and in hope, she wouldn't take it the wrong way. He always thought about that dreadful outcome. The idea that Lucy would completely reject him and never want to speak with him again, completely drained the courage he had built up.
So, he was never able to build enough courage to go through with his ambitions, but they kept growing stronger every second that he spent with her. And now, they were stronger than ever.
But that was always that one thing that he could never really understand. Why did he feel like this?
Natsu could never really grasp the reason of why he felt like this. He just kind of knew he liked her, but like could never describe how he was feeling now.
Natsu knew what a crush was, he had one with Lissana when he was younger, but that was nothing compared to this now.
He would never understand why he felt so warm and cheerful around her? Don't get me wrong, Natsu was always warm but, this was a different kind of warm. It was a warm feeling that felt like true happiness, the feeling of being complete. He liked it.
Then there was the question of why did he always want to be near her, or by her side?
Why did he always feel the need to protect her as much as he did?
Was she really that important?
All these unanswered questions swirled around his head. He was so confused and boggled by it, he couldn't even think straight. He had never had this kind of problem before.
Natsu rummaged through every question, every idea in his head and came across that one question again.
Was she really important?
That was when he found his answer. He never thought it would be so simple. One small little word changed his view on the situation.
Yes.
Lucy was really important. In fact, she was everything to him.
She was his light in the dark, his shoulder to cry on, and his ear to listen. She even held his very heart. Baring that on her own shoulders, and she didn't even realize it.
That was when he had finally realized, that he loved Lucy. He had always heard Happy use the term, when he was teasing him so, he never really gave it much thought.
That's when the true realization hit. He loved Lucy. The word rolled off his tongue and he enjoyed it. This simple word solved all of his problems. Well. Most of them.
He still had to actually confess to Lucy, and that was the big problem.
Natsu stared down at her sleeping figure. She looked so peaceful, as she always was, and that made the situation worse. Why would she want to be with someone like me anyway?
The doubts rolled in and it made Natsu feel sick. His abdomen began to clench and his mind whorled. Why would she want him? She was so perfect. Calm, smart, gorgeous, and strong. All Natsu was, was stupid, immature, goofy, and he couldn't even protect Lucy.
His mind wandered back to that moment on Tenrou Island. He was overcome by a tsunamic wave of guilt. It washed over him so fast he thought he was going to vomit. The memory of it made him want to curl up into a tiny ball. He felt so small. So insignificant. So weak.
Just like he was on Tenrou. The memory was crystal clear. Natsu had just gotten stuck under the mound of rocks and boulders that fell on top of him. He couldn't do anything about it, he couldn't escape and save Lucy this time. She had run out of magic power and laid there helplessly. Just like he was.
He hated that look she had. Although she covered it up with words, he could clearly see that she was terrified. He could see her holding back tears when that asshole began pounding her into the ground. He was no help at all. If Natsu wasn't there, she could've easily run away a long time ago. She wouldn't have been caught up in the mess. She wouldn't have to have Natsu as a pathetic excuse of protection.
Natsu could feel his eyes start to burn and a few straggling tears welled up in his eyes. He couldn't stop himself. He felt so small and useless, he couldn't hold it back anymore. Natsu wiped the liquid off of his face.
'This is so stupid.' Natsu thought. 'I shouldn't be crying over something like this. Lucy would probably think I'm a wimp.'
Natsu looked over at the said blonde who stirred a little in her sleep. She had a small glimpse of expression on her face, of maybe worry, or sadness, but Natsu couldn't quite tell.
Gildarts had once told him about something like this, although he never really listened to it, one small phrase from it came to mind.
"All you need is patience." Natsu remembered it clearly now. 'Patience?' He reiterated the simple word in his mind. Trying to find the answer, then it came to him. "All I need is some patience." He whispered to nobody in particular. 'And then maybe she'll see me the way I want her to.' Natsu grinned a little at the thought. The serious tension he had created with himself had all but simmered away at the fragment of new hope.
Natsu gave a short yawn and searched for the bedside clock. It read 2:52 a.m. Natsu sighed and remembered the mission the team was taking today. 'How the hell am I supposed to wake up at 7? This sucks.' After the brief mental complaining, he saw an opportunity.
Natsu gave a quick smirk and slowly inched closer to Lucy, who was stirring a little more in her sleep. He carefully wrapped his left arm around her waist and tucked his right arm under her. His nose instantly nuzzled in between the space where her neck and shoulder connected.
Lucy gave a slight sigh in her sleep and her lips curled up into a soft smile. "Natsu." She whispered. Natsu snuggled even closer, bathing in her sweet aroma. 'All I need is a little patience." With that Natsu drifted in a deep slumber. Dreaming of all the events that occurred that day, and what might occur, in time.
~fin~
A/N: Wow, that was…. Dramatic? I'm sorry for all the drama in this but, I guess that's what I felt like writing. Actually that's my sort of style, I can do fluff, but this is better. By the way, for those who are caught up in the manga, Natsu has matured quite a bit, so I'm going off of that. Anyways, if you enjoyed (or not) please review and tell me what I should fix, or if I should continue with another chapter. Another thing, I'm thinking of writing a Nalu (and other pairings) in a fanfiction about the zombie apocalypse. Sort of like the TWD but different I guess. Is that a good idea or not?