Everything felt great. But that was until the warmth of his lips disappeared.
When I opened my eyes were Natsu already walking towards my dress that lied on the stone a few meters away. My eyes watched his movements as he lifted it up, studying it with his eyes. Most likely checking if it was dry.
The way he acted got me all confused. He convinced that he could teach me to love, by kissing me. And then he just leave me hanging? I felt something. I don't know for sure, but it was something. Was the reason why he kissed me only to show me, or did he want to?
"..Hey.. Natsu." I looked hopefully at him, as he stood with his back faced against me. "..I.." My voice failed me as I tried to get out the words. Why was I acting like this. I couldn't get myself to say it, ask him if he felt it too, that something.
"Your dress is dry now, we should head back. So dry yourself up, so we can get going." The tone in his voice had changed drastically. His voice was low, almost like the flare was taken out of his energetic self. He laid the dress down beside me, still not looking at me, not wanting to meet my eyes.
"Natsu.. I"
"I'll wait over there." He walked over to the place he pointed at and seated himself on the ground. Sitting with his back faced against me, giving me some privacy. Did he regret what he did? Was it that bad?
I felt the disappointment grow stronger on me at his reaction. I never imagined he act like this. I thought that he would act smirk about it, telling me he was the one showing me love. Surprisingly not.
After a few minutes had I finished drying myself. It was easy when the sun was shining so bright.
"All done."
"Good, let's get going then."
The trip back was awkward. We didn't say a word to each other. Every time when I tried to pass him a smile or even to look at him, Natsu just simply looked the other way. I couldn't take it more, it was too frustrating! But Natsu got me first.
"Are your feet hurting?" Natsu suddenly looked concerned down at me. I was taken by a surprise of his sudden mood change. I had been too busy thinking about Natsu's behaviour, that I didn't even notice that I had forgot my shoes back at the waterfall. "You're limping." He bent down examining my feet.
"I'm fine." It was just then I realized the pain coming from my feet. I was still angry at him for not saying anything so I yanked my foot out of his grasp.
"Sit." Not giving a damn about what I said. I obeyed what he said, as he gently lifted it up to his face.
"Ah! Are you trying to steel my feet our what!?" The pain grew stronger at his touch. He looked at it first, checking it if it was badly hurt I suppose. But before he said anything, Natsu bite down on my foot and began to suck. I screamed in pain. A flick off an eye and the pain gone.
"You had a stone inside your foot, I just pulled it out." I don't know if that's a favour or not. Natsu spat it out the stone he had between his teeth. "Come on, get on my back."
"On your back?"
"Yeah, you can't walk like that!"
"Are you going to play a horse?" Before I was able to protest had he already lifted me off my feet. "Lock your arms around my neck." I did as I was told, as I locked them around his neck. The scent of him was so strong and overwhelming, so I couldn't help but snuggle down in his neck.
When we finally had arrived back at the castle, dropped Natsu me careful down.
"We should get that wound cleaned up. So why don't you go up to my room and wait for me there. I'll grab some herbs we can use to heal the wound faster."
"Ok." I would most likely get lost, or I could just ask Jellal to tell me the way, hopefully get a treat or two while I was there.
"Lucy." Natsu caught my attention, as I was about to leave. "I'm sorry for what happened, I didn't mean to push you so far. I got carried away." So he didn't mean anything of what he did at all? He was only guilty of what he did?
"Ah, it's alright.." Why was I feeling so sad at his words. As I was about to leave, grabbed Natsu my hand pulling me back to his arms. My heart jump faster, as he stared in to my eyes.
"I want you to know that I-"
"Prince Natsu. The king wants to see you this instant." Natsu looked annoyed at the guard coming closer.
".. Can't you see I'm busy?"
"At once." Rolling his eyes, Natsu agreed. It sounded it was important matters.
"I'll be there. Lucy, come."
When we arrived in the big throne room were we greeted by twenty guards, standing in line before the throne. All of them held sharp weapons that looked like a sharks teeth. I never thought it would be so intimidating to meet Natsu's father. I jumped in fright when the large door closed behind us, as I wrapped my arms around Natsu's waist. He didn't seem bothered by it either.
I felt Natsu remove my hands. Maybe he was embarrassed to be seen with me? Natsu began to walk, but I stood still, maybe I should stay back here. I felt Natsu pulling me forward, making me stumble after him. Looking down at my hand, Natsu hadn't let go of my hand. Natsu gave it a light squeeze and pulled me even closer to him.
The guards moved one by one as we got closer to meet Natsu's father, King Igneel. I grabbed Natsu's jacket when one of the guards moved a little to close.
I bumped into Natsu's broad back when he finally stopped, not letting go off him.
"Father."
"You're late." Igneel's voice was deep and loud. "And I see you brought a friend." The way he said friend was terrifying, making me freeze behind Natsu.
"You called for me." Natsu simply avoided the subject, obviously not wanting to talk about me.
"Yes. I have great news for you son." Sceptical Natsu looked at his father. He didn't seem convinced that he could come with good news. "Three days from now, you will be wed to princess Lisanna Strauss." It felt like Igneel ripped out my heart with his bare hands. "You will unite our kingdoms."
Everyone waited anticipation for Natsu's reaction.
"No."
"Leave us." Igneel's voice became even darker, something I never thought was possible. I didn't want to disobey the king so I was about to go back. But Natsu's warm hand prevented me, pulling me once more back to him. He wanted me to stay?
"I said leave!" One of the guards grabbed me, carrying me out. Natsu was about to protest, as one of the guards blocked his way. The guard that had carried me tossed me onto the ground and closed the door.
"You will do as I say and marry princess Lisanna Strauss!"
"I'm in love with someone else! I won't marry a woman I don't love."
"I'm your king! You'll do as I say." Their voices sounded like thunder, shaking the castle. So, Natsu love someone already? That's why he acted so weird. I shouldn't make this more complicated then it already is.
General POV
Lucy walked with heavy steps back to her room. She's a smart girl, but when it comes to love, she's clueless like a fish. Can't understand her own feelings or others. As she walked away, the heated battle in the throne room had just begun.
"I can't do that when I'm in love with her!"
"Your in love with that girl?" Natsu knew right away that he had said something stupid. Igneel would take advantage of the knowledge this. There was no turning back now. "She's not even a princess. You're bringing disgrace to this family."
"No, but she's much more."
"Natsu. She's a commoner!"
"I love her."
"You barley know this woman!"
"How would you know? We haven't even eaten dinner together for six years. On the other hand, I have like what? Met princess Lisanna twice in my life, and still you want me to marry her."
"Do not doubt my decision." Igneel snared at his son.
"I won't go through with this engagement." Furious at his father's demands, turned Natsu away.
"Don't you dare turn your back on me boy!" Not even paying attention to what his father said, as he kept a steady pace. "Aren't you worried about your lady friend?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"Only as long as you keep up the engagement with princess Lisanna Strauss." Threats wasn't exactly Natsu's favourite thing. He didn't like that his father took advantage of his feelings. He couldn't be selfish. He had to think about the consequences he took, not only for himself but on Lucy's behalf too. If her secret would spill to only a employee her, who know how fast the word would spread. If people know that she is a mermaid, she would be in real danger.
"Fine." His voice was stern, almost sounds like his own father. "But, she will stay in my care and under my protection for the time being. Or the deal is off." Igneel thought about it for a while, before he nodded confirming.
"For now."
Slamming the doors behind him as he stormed out of the throne room. Natsu stood there, as he stared out in the empty hall. There was no sign of Lucy.
Lucy POV
I had walked around the castle for hours, I didn't quite know where I was, but I knew one thing for sure. I wasn't welcome here. I had thought about it for a while, not knowing what I should do. Maybe I should leave and go somewhere else. If I did that, found another place, another country. But it would all be in vain, because Natsu wouldn't be there. And Jellal's cooking for that matters. Leaving now meant that I would disappoint Natsu when he needed me for a change. I have to take my selfishness aside, and help him and he's lover. If that was what it would take to make him happy. I owed him that much. Even if that mean loosing..
It was the right thing to do.
My feet were sore and exhausted. They hurt like hell, but it was worth the time alone.
After the moment Natsu and I shared back at the waterfall, would I at lease think we shared a mutual feeling. He proved me wrong.
The sun had gone down for hours ago and the castle had fell asleep.
Finally I found the way back to Natsu's bedroom, only to find it empty. Walking over to the door that separated our rooms. Folded neatly on my bed laid a beautiful onyx coloured night gown. I lifted it up, to get a better look at it. The fabric was so soft, and I couldn't wait to feel it against my skin.
Changing into my new.. top? It was too short to be a dress, it barley covered my underwear. There has to be another part? Well, it wouldn't bother anyone after all.
I woke up as the cold stroke my cheek. The room was freezing. Wait, is the window open? I can't remember I left it open. Maybe someone is trying to kill me! I jumped out of the bed in the dark room. The rock hard floor was even colder, how could that be possible?
Swiftly I closed the window shut and literally jumped back to bed, snuggling my face down in he warm blanket. The bed was so warm! I couldn't believe I was freezing in something this hot. I buried my face further as I curled up in a ball, as I bumped my head into something warm and hard. I punched the unknown subject with all my strength in panic.
"Ouch!" It spoke? "Don't hit me!"
"Natsu?"
"Yeah! Who else would it be!?" Rubbing his head gently. "That hurt."
"You startled me!"
"Hey, I looked for you for hours! When I didn't find you here at first, I had to search the whole castle to find you. I thought you left." Seating himself on the bed, even though I couldn't see his eyes, I knew for sure that he was staring at me.
"Where would I go?"
"Home." I felt the word sting in my chest. "The one place I can't reach you."
"I don't want to go home. I want to stay here with you." Shit, did I just make a confession? Natsu lighted a candle, feeling the room with a dim light. He placed it on the night stand next to the bed.
"Say it again." What? Why would he want me to say it again? It wasn't a part of my plan, it just fell out of my mouth!
"No, why would I do that?" He paused for a moment as he studied my face.
I want to see your eyes when you say it."
"I.." What was the difference saying it now and for two minutes ago. My heart was acting all flustered all of the sudden. "I want to stay here... With you." Faster and faster, I wasn't able to control my heartbeat. He could probably hear it. I was too busy thinking about my heartbeat, that I didn't see Natsu moved closer.
I pushed him away, embarrassed thinking of the last time we were as close as this.
"Why, why did you act the way you did back at the waterfall? You were the one suggesting it." Natsu ruffled his hair.
"I know. I thought it would be a great plan at the beginning, taking you there, all alone. But-"
"Was the kiss so bad that you regretted it right away?"
"No!"
"Because you were the one acting all 'Ill teach you!' and stuff."Trying to copy Natsu's voice the way he had said it, but I failed miserably. It made him only laugh at me.
"I was right."
"Whit what?"
"It was a prefect fit for you, you look great." I blushed at his comment. "You know, Lucy. I only acted like that because I couldn't fall deeper in love with you."
"In love..?"
"I was angry at myself, because I'm not the one you love. You would have changed if I was your 'One true love', but you didn't." He was right. But it didn't feel right.
Natsu crawled on top of me, hovering inches away from my face. His warm breath brushing my lips. "It's still something there."
"Natsu, I-" His lips silenced me, as he kissed me passionately. I felt Natsu's hand stroke my inner thigh as he travelled further up, brushing away my bangs. He broke the kiss for air, as he were panting above me.
"I love you." Natsu whispered it between a trial of kisses down my neck. "I will not marry anyone, other than you."
Long time no see!
I know I'm slow, but say something if you think it's taking waaaaay too long. I got the question not long ago about when I would update thew story, and look! It happened sooner than expected. I just need a kick in the butt!
I will try to get better, but I had a writers block so I didn't quite know how I should have wrote it, but hope you're happy with the results.
Feel free to leave a review or pm me and let me know what you think of this chapter. Any questions, just contact me, I'll answer them the best I can.
Have a nice day!
