a/n: lost my laptop charger for a few days but back at it again! currently on spring break and crossing fingers for more frequent updates(; to make up for my absence, here is a chapter with pure Nalu interaction!

also, sidenote, someone reviewed and left a comment that was quite possibly my favorite review of all time on any of my stories ever. They said the tone of Ink-Stained Skin reminded them of "one of those beautiful tumblr aesthetics" and honestly? As weird as it sounds that was kind of what I was going for when I initially made this fic a thing. So thank you so much! And thank you to everyone else who has reviewed so far! You really don't know how much I appreciate the feedback. It honestly keeps me going. Writing is all about self-expression, sure, but it's also nice knowing what the people think of your work too(;

disclaimer: I own nothing.


The boy sighed, a string of curses on the tip of his tongue as he stepped out into the courtyard after last bell.

Magnolia's surprisingly sunny day had most of the kids loitering out on the courtyard, packed in with their cliques and making it hard for the the street artist to zero in on his target.

That icy bastard's pale skin should be acting like a spot-light, but there was no shirtless boy around.

Natsu wanted to know what his friend's cryptic text messages meant, and when he'd stopped responding the most obvious thing to do would be to ask in person. Plus, the boy smirked, he always happened to be more... persuasive, in person.

He curled the hand that wasn't holding onto his bag in a loose fist, ready to work off some pent-up frustration in a good brawl with Gray. It'd been a while since they'd really gone at it.

With his backpack slung over only one shoulder, he stepped out to brave the masses, maneuvering his way through the maze of Magnolia High students that he only sometimes associated with. As he was passing the large oak tree near the center of the yard, he and someone else roughly knocked shoulders. Natsu turned on his heel to give the wise-guy a piece of what Gray had comin', but stopped short.

It wasn't a guy that was facing Natsu with hands on hips, eyebrows drawn together in a pissy fashion.

It was Lucy.

As if a wire had suddenly short-circuited in the teen's mind, he just stood there dumbly. All aggression suddenly evaporated, just like Magnolia's bad weather from the night before. Natsu just stood there, blankly... speechless.

Say something, you moron.

"You weren't in class today."

Could you be more of a shit head right now, Dragneel? Seriously, what the hell was that?

Lucy only nodded once in response to this. "I was running super late to class, so I just ducked into the library instead."

"Running late, how?"

A small grin pulled at the corner of the girl's glossed lips, but it wasn't meant for him. He could tell by the faraway look in those brown eyes of hers as she said, "Nothing. Just had to deny a date with a water fountain."

Natsu blinked. "I'm not even going to pretend to process that."

"Probably for the best."

The girl standing in front of his wasn't the same girl Natsu knew from class. This one could look him in the eye and answer him with a little snark. It was amusing.

Natsu wondered if her newfound confidence had anything to do with the camera around her neck.

It was the same way for him when he was around his canvases, armed and ready with his arsenal of paints.

He figured he wouldn't point it out, however. It was rude to point out someone's safety blanket, because most of the time, that same object proved to also be the person's kryptonite.

He must of had a dumb look on his face, or let the silence between them drag on for too long, because he was suddenly drawn from his thoughts by her pointing her finger at him.

"I like your jacket," she said, that same grin gracing her features. Except this time, it was for him. "Can I call you Zuko now?"

Natsu spared a glance at the leather, feeling himself revert to his playboy demeanor before he could consciously figure out what was about to come out of his mouth. He smirked, showing off the sharp canines that Erza was constantly giving him shit for.

"Depends. Only if I can call you Sandy."

"Only if 'Sandy' sounds like 'Lucy,'" she winked-God, did he love the sight of that-stepping around him in the direction of the parking lot. "See ya around."

"Wait," he said before he could help it. Internally he could feel himself freeze up. Wait for what? Even he didn't know.

"Sorry," she called over her shoulder, if anything picking up the pace. "I'm already late getting downtown!"

"What is there to do downtown?" he wondered, not realizing he'd said it aloud.

"Lots!" she laughed, signaling once to her camera before a group of guys from the basketball team cut in front of their path, and when they'd finally all passed-leaving the scent of sweat and Old Spice in their path-Lucy was gone.

Natsu wondered what is was that was so special, and what could only be found downtown. What was it that was so great to the girl and her camera?

He jostled his bag in an act of frustration, ignoring the rattling of his paint cans as he did so.

The boy wished he had a penny and fountain, so that he could wish for an answer.


Until Next Time (aka tomorrow)

p.s. I would love to hear your all's thoughts on this story!